JLab Go Pods ANC vs QCY T17 True Wireless Earbuds, 26H Playtime, Bluetooth 5.3: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the JLab Go Pods ANC comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 82. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: JLab Go Pods ANC - Outstanding overall at around $30.

True Wireless

JLab Go Pods ANC

82Outstanding

$30

Full review data

True Wireless

QCY T17 True Wireless Earbuds, 26H Playtime, Bluetooth 5.3

70Good

$22

Full review data

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

JLab Go Pods ANC leads on 5 of 7 measures.

JLab Go Pods ANC
QCY T17 True Wireless Earbuds, 26H Playtime, Bluetooth 5.3

HearWiki score

Sound

7.5

6.8

Noise cancelling

7.1

Battery

6.6

7.2

Calls

7.1

5.8

Value

9.8

8.2

Price (USD)

$30

$22

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

QCY T17 True Wireless Earbuds, 26H Playtime, Bluetooth 5.3 (2025) against JLab Go Pods ANC (2024). The JLab Go Pods ANC is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.3 and ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, Transparency mode and Water resistance IP55 against IPX4.

Go Pods ANC2024
T17 True Wireless Earbuds, 26H Playtime, Bluetooth 5.320251 yr newer

What differsGo Pods ANCT17 True Wireless Earbuds, 26H Playtime, Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.3
ANC type: Hybrid; None
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Transparency mode: Yes; No
Water resistance: IP55; IPX4

Level on: Top codec, USB-C, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

Go Pods ANCT17 True Wireless Earbuds, 26H Playtime, Bluetooth 5.3

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $30; $22
HearWiki score: 82; 70
Released: 2024; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 10 mm dynamic; 6 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 10 mm; 6 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω; 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 99 dB/mW; 102 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Latency: 200 ms; 68 ms
Wireless range: 9 m; 12 m
Battery life: -; 7.5 h
Battery life (ANC on): 5 h; -
Battery incl. case: 26 h; 26 h
Full charge time: 120 min; 120 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 1 h; -
Wireless charging: -; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; No
ANC type: hybrid; none
Transparency mode: Yes; No
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; Yes
Wear detection: No; No
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Yes; Yes
Weight: 8.4 g; 4.2 g
Case weight: 27.6 g; 28.1 g
Water resistance: IP55; IPX4
Detachable cable: No; -
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Model code: -; BH21Q17A
Microphones: 4; 2
Microphone type: MEMS; -
Mic sensitivity: -38 dBV; -
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; ENC

Specification comparison of JLab Go Pods ANC vs QCY T17 True Wireless Earbuds, 26H Playtime, Bluetooth 5.3
Spec	JLab Go Pods ANC	QCY T17 True Wireless Earbuds, 26H Playtime, Bluetooth 5.3
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$30	$22
HearWiki score	82 / 100 Outstanding	70 / 100 Good
Released	2024	2025
Audio
Driver	10 mm dynamic	6 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	10 mm	6 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	32 Ω	16 Ω
Sensitivity	99 dB/mW	102 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.4	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	No
Latency	200 ms	68 ms
Wireless range	9 m	12 m
Battery
Battery life	-	7.5 h
Battery life (ANC on)	5 h	-
Battery incl. case	26 h	26 h
Full charge time	120 min	120 min
Quick charge	10 min → 1 h	-
Wireless charging	-	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	No
ANC type	hybrid	none
Transparency mode	Yes	No
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	Yes
Wear detection	No	No
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Yes	Yes
Design
Weight	8.4 g	4.2 g
Case weight	27.6 g	28.1 g
Water resistance	IP55	IPX4
Detachable cable	No	-
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Model code	-	BH21Q17A
Calls
Microphones	4	2
Microphone type	MEMS	-
Mic sensitivity	-38 dBV	-
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	ENC

What reviewers said

JLab Go Pods ANC

These budget true wireless earbuds deliver a surprisingly robust feature set for the price, including hybrid active noise cancellation, wireless charging, and multipoint connectivity. Sound leans slightly bass-heavy but remains clear and engaging, while the companion app offers a custom EQ to tailor the audio to your liking. They're a strong value pick, though battery life is shorter than some rivals and call quality has some limitations.

Pro:Excellent value for the price
Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the cost
Pro:Useful app with custom EQ

Con:Bass-heavy sound may not suit purists
Con:Battery life is below average for the class
Con:Call quality is mediocre in noisy settings

QCY T17 True Wireless Earbuds, 26H Playtime, Bluetooth 5.3

The QCY T17 earbuds deliver remarkable value at a budget price, pairing a secure, comfortable fit with clear audio and a practical 26-hour total runtime with the charging case. Bluetooth 5.3 and touch controls round out a solid package for everyday listening, though they skip advanced features like noise cancellation.

Pro:Excellent value for the price
Pro:Comfortable and secure fit
Pro:Long 26-hour total battery life

Con:No active noise cancellation
Con:No multipoint connection
Con:Only IPX4 water resistance (not IPX5 as some reviews claim)

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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